Red Sox Get Discouraging Update On Potential All-Star Trade Target

The Boston Red Sox could be involved in the pitching market this offseason. However, one potential trade target may not actually be available. Freddy Peralta would be a great fit for the Red Sox, but he might not actually be dealt.

The Milwaukee Brewers are a team that operates on a tight budget, and have dealt star pitchers a year before they hit free agency in the past. They did so with Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Josh Hader, and many experts expect Peralta to be available this winter as a result. However, during the general manager meetings in Las Vegas, Brewers general manager Matt Arnold spoke on Peralta.

“Every situation is really unique,” Arnold told MLB.com on Tuesday. “Certainly, every team in the league is interested in Freddy Peralta, but he means a lot to us, too. I would anticipate he’s part of our team.”

Like every team, the Red Sox would benefit greatly from adding Peralta. Not only did he just have a career year, but he is only making $8 million next season. Earlier this week, Craig Breslow spoke on the Red Sox starting rotation and noted the team would only look to add a frontline starter.

“Because of the depth that we’ve built up over the last couple of years, we feel pretty good about just overall starting pitching and numbers 3-ish through 10-ish (on the depth chart),” Breslow said to The Athletic on Monday. “That’s not to take away from guys who are certainly capable of doing more — but I don’t think we’re going to spend a ton of time trying to add a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. If we’re going to make a starting pitching addition, I think it should be somebody who can pitch at the front of a rotation and start a playoff game for us.”

Peralta is a true ace, but would be an elite No. 2 to Garrett Crochet. He posted a 2.70 ERA with 204 strikeouts last season. The Brewers picked up his club option this offseason, but he is slated to hit the open market next year. Trading him would be in line with how the Brewers have operated in the past, but Arnold’s comments indicate that he is not going anywhere this offseason.

The Brewers were just the top seed and reached the National League Championship Series in 2025. Most of their team is under contract for next season, so keeping Peralta gives them a great chance to make another run.

“Look, I think in all these cases, it’s a tough decision for all of us,” Arnold said to MLB.com. “We’ve had to make tough decisions on the Haders of the world and Corbin Burnes and things like that, and Freddy is certainly in that conversation. We’ll never close the door on anything, just because we’re the smallest market in the league and we have to make tough decisions like that. But, you know, we think he can certainly help us next year.”

Since 2021, Peralta has a 3.30 ERA and two All-Star selections, and has made at least 30 starts in three straight seasons. Given his talent and cost for next season, he would be an ideal target for the Red Sox.